Posted on: April 14, 2026 01:00 PM

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Three crips members convicted of racketeering murder and other gang related crimes

A federal jury in Central Islip convicted Akeem Chambers, also known as “Luca,” Jonathan Vazquez, also known as “Chulo” and “Clutch,” and Jerell Shaw, also known as “Rells” and “Rells Fargo,” on 52 counts of a third superseding indictment charging them variously with racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, assault, murder conspiracy, kidnapping, robbery, robbery conspiracy, wire fraud conspiracy, mortgage fraud conspiracy, and money laundering.  The defendants are members of Crips sets known as the “Insane Crip Gang,” or “ICG,” based on Long Island, and the “Rollin 60s,” based in Brooklyn.  The verdicts followed an 11-week trial before United States District Judge Joan M. Azrack.  When sentenced, the defendants each face a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), Patrick Ryder, Commissioner, Nassau County Police Department (NCPD), Anne Donnelly, District Attorney, Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the verdict.

“With today’s convictions, a clear message has been sent to those who perpetuate the cycle of gang violence on Long Island, in Brooklyn, and throughout our district: you will be prosecuted, and you will be held accountable.  Our Office, together with our law enforcement partners, will continue to work tirelessly to eradicate the gang violence that terrorizes our communities,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “The defendants and their co-conspirators used force and violence against rivals, terrorized surrounding neighborhoods, stole from government programs intended to provide services to the public, and enriched themselves through the illicit proceeds of their criminal activity.  Today’s verdict ensures that these individuals have been held responsible for their crimes.  This outcome is the result of the outstanding work of law enforcement agents and detectives who, alongside our prosecutors, brought this comprehensive investigation to a successful conclusion. Our Office will continue working tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to advance the Administration’s mandate to Take Back America by dismantling and eradicating lawless, violent gangs like the Insane Crips and make our communities safer.”

Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the FBI’s Long Island Safe Streets Gang Task Force and the Nassau County Police Department’s Homicide Squad and Gang Investigation Squad for their tireless efforts to bring these defendants to justice.  Mr. Nocella also thanked the Hempstead Village Police Department for its efforts in the widespread investigation.

“These three Crips gang members are responsible for a litany of crimes across Long Island. Their collective tyranny ranged from public gunfights and multiple murders to exploiting government relief programs – all to protect the gang’s reputation and increase its illicit revenue stream. Today’s guilty verdict marks a significant milestone in the FBI Long Island Safe Streets Task Force’s unwavering fight against criminal enterprises flooding our streets with violence,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.

“These gang members committed heinous acts of violence, including the attempted murder of two Nassau County Police Officers.  This case highlights the risks that our officers face every single day, when they put on the uniform to protect the residents of Nassau County.  These individuals committed dangerous crimes including robbery and murder, that they are finally being held accountable for.  Working with our law enforcement partners, we will stop at nothing to pursue individuals who harm our communities.  I commend our investigators and our partners for their dedication and efforts on this case,” stated NCPD Commissioner Ryder.

 “These convictions end a reign of terror across Nassau County,” stated Nassau County District Attorney Donnelly.  “From targeted robberies and the senseless killings of innocent lives to the brazen attempted murder of two Nassau County police officers, these defendants showed a chilling disregard for human life. This verdict is a powerful message to the gangs that think they can operate with impunity across Long Island. We remain committed to working with our federal and local law enforcement partners to dismantle these violent enterprises and seek justice for the victims and their families.”

“These Crips members committed a series of violent crimes – from murder and kidnapping to stealing federal relief meant for vulnerable people during the COVID-19 pandemic,” stated NYPD Commissioner Tisch. “The NYPD is intensely focused on taking down gangs, removing guns from our streets, and keeping communities safe. Thanks to the work of our NYPD investigators, alongside our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, these violent criminals have been convicted and will be held accountable.”

Racketeering and Violent Crimes

Chambers, Vazquez, and Shaw were each convicted of racketeering and racketeering conspiracy for their participation in the Crips criminal enterprise.  In connection with the racketeering charges, they were also found guilty of participating in multiple acts of violence committed on behalf of the Crips, including murder, attempted murder, robbery, and kidnapping.

Chambers, who dubbed himself “Luca Da Shoota,” was convicted for his role in eleven shootings and three homicides between 2020 and 2022, including the August 2020 murder of Thiasia Williams in Hempstead, New York, the September 2021 murder of James Diamond in Freeport, New York, and the March 2022 murder of Malik Delima in Brooklyn, New York.  In August 2020, Chambers, along with fellow Crips members and associates, carried out a drive-by shooting targeting a party on Martin Luther King Drive in Hempstead that was attended by members of a rival gang.  Chambers and an associate each opened fire with 9mm handguns, discharging at least eight rounds into a crowd of partygoers.  Their gunfire struck and killed Thiasia Williams, an innocent bystander who was seated in her car outside the party waiting to pick up a friend. Chambers was also convicted of assaulting another innocent female bystander, who sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to her leg.

Chambers also was convicted of the January 3, 2021 attempted murder and assault of Christopher Jackson in Rockville Centre, New York.  Acting on a mistaken belief that Jackson was a rival gang member, Chambers opened fire on Jackson and his brother as they were driving home on Peninsula Boulevard.  Jackson was struck by gunfire and, as a result of the shooting, was left paralyzed.

Chambers was also convicted for his role in the 2021 robbery and murder of James Diamond in Freeport, New York.  On September 10, 2021, Chambers and his co-conspirators planned to rob Diamond and another individual of a large sum of cash.  During the attempted robbery, Chambers and another individual, both armed with firearms, confronted Diamond at gunpoint.  In the course of the robbery, Chambers’ co-conspirator shot and killed Diamond.

Chambers and Shaw were convicted of murder and conspiracy to commit murder for their roles in the March 2022 killing of Malik Delima, a Rollin’ 60s gang member and rival of Shaw from Brooklyn.  Shaw, who was involved in an internal gang power struggle with Delima, enlisted Chambers to shoot and kill Delima.  On March 10, 2022, Chambers, using a car provided by Shaw, drove from Shaw’s residence and tracked Delima to his apartment in Brooklyn. When Delima exited his residence, Chambers shot Delima 11 times, killing him.

Vazquez was convicted of murder for his role in the November 19, 2016 shooting death of 19 year-old Joecephus Vanable in Hempstead, New York.  Vanable, a rival of ICG in Hempstead, was shot and killed outside his girlfriend’s residence while speaking with his girlfriend and sister.  Vazquez provided the firearm used in the murder and accompanied the shooter to carry out the killing.  In the wake of Vanable’s murder, members of ICG repeatedly glorified the killing, including by posting numerous videos depicting Vazquez, Chambers, and others desecrating Vanable’s grave and by posting rap songs that referenced Vanable’s death to taunt rivals.

Vazquez was convicted of the attempted murder of two Nassau County police officers on March 1, 2022.  When the officers attempted to stop a vehicle matching the description of one used in a robbery two weeks earlier, Vazquez opened fire at the officers’ vehicle, striking its hood.  Vazquez then fled on foot and again attempted to fire at the officers.   In addition, Vazquez was convicted of the February 16, 2022 gunpoint robbery of a woman in Levittown, New York, the same robbery that led officers to attempt the vehicle stop on March 1.  

Chambers was convicted of committing seven shootings, involving the attempted murder or assault of rival gang members in 2020 and 2022, as well as several counts of illegal possession, brandishing and discharge of firearms.

Vazquez and Chambers were convicted of committing four shootings together, involving the attempted murd